Dodgers Alumni Treat Veterans To Batting Practice

Members of the United States Marine Corps salute during the national anthem before the Memorial Day game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Los Angeles Dodgers on May 28, 2012 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

CHAVEZ RAVINE (CBSLA.com) — Alumni of the Los Angeles Dodgers gathered at Dodger Stadium on Veterans Day to provide exclusive baseball instruction to veterans of the armed forces.

Veterans of the United States Marine Corps, Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard were given batting practice.

Dodger Stadium Hosts Veterans

“It’s a fun event,” a participating veteran remarked. “To be out here [with] a professional team, get to play the game a little bit with them, but also at the same time get to experience what they experience on the field. It’s one of those things where, when you’re serving, you’re not doing it for stuff like this, but at the same time it’s really fun to participate in things like this.”

Former Dodgers “Sweet” Lou Johnson, Roy Gleason, and Al Ferrara took part in the event.

Around 100 invited veterans turned out at the ballpark for Monday’s event.

“It’s nice to be acknowledged a little bit, and hang out on this beautiful day at Dodger Stadium,” another veteran said.